Spring structure



March 2, 1937. W Al CLARK y 2,072,243

SPRING STRUCTURE Y Filed Sept. 17, 1934 ATTORNEYS l Patented Mar. 2, 1937 SPRING STRUCTURE William A. Clark, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

Application September 17, 1934, Serial No. .I m

9 Claims. `(Cl. 155-180) The main objectsof this invention are:

First, to provide an improved spring structure in which the upholstery is very securely retained and at the same time the upholstering operations gV may be rapidly performed even by unskilled workmen.

Second, to provide a structure of this character' in which the upholstery is ,effectively protected from wear.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is very strong and rigid and capable of withstanding severe usage even when made of relatively light materials.v

Fourth, to provide a structure havingV these advantages which may. be used as anair bound cushion or not as may be desired or .in which the vent openings may be adjusted to secure the desired air resistance supplementing the springs.

Objects relating todetails and economies of `my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is dened and pointed out in the claims. u y

A structure which is a preferred embodiment Vof my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Y

Fig. 1 is aninverted view of a seat cushion embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof partially broken away and sectioned online 2--2 of Fig. 1.

` Fig. 3 is anenlarged fragmentary view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Y V Fig. 4 is'an enlarged fragmentary view of a modied form or embodiment of my invention. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, the body springs I are assembled as a unit, the

assembly comprising a border frame 2. 'I'he connecting rneansfor the springs are not illustrated. They are preferably enclosed in a lightV fabric casing 3.

.40 The border frame 4 of my invention as shown in the embodiments of Figs. 1,` 2 and 3 is formed of astrip, of metal and comprises a bottom inwardly opening channel portion 5 and an Vupright web-like portion 6 inwardly offset rat l from the l 45 outer arm of the channel portion.. The channel opens inwardly, the free arm of the channel in `the embodiment `best ,shown in Fig. 3 being pref- I erably substantially vertical. e

Cross bars 9 are disposed on edge and are 5()` provided with saddles I0 at their ends terminating in hooks II engaged over the upper edge of the web portion of the border frame and secured thereto., preferably by spot welding, as indicated at I2. The saddles have horizontal portions dis- 55 posed above the free arms Qf the -Channel p0r- `the free arm of the border frame.

tions of the border frames and connected to the f vertical portions ofthe cross bar by the quarter twists I3. f i Cross pieces I4 are disposed above these cross supporting bars 9, the cross pieces being secured to the border frame by saddles substantially, as shown in Fig. 3.

A bottom panel I5 is arranged above the cross members described with its edge in abutting relav tion to the border frame so as-to provide `a sub-,'- ,10 stantially airtight joint. A p The upholstery I6 is preferably of leather` or imitation leather or suitable material substantially impervious to air: The skirt portion'of the upholstery is wrapped around the bottomY porj `15 tion of the border frame and drawn over the edge of the free arm of the border frame,

The upholstery clamping members Il are, in the embodiment shown inFigs. 1 2. and'v3r," of substantially U-cross section, the upper arm I3 I being at, the lower arm I9 being curved to correspond to the curvature ofthe channel. portion of the border frame, the two arms being joined by a loop 20. Ihe upholstery is folded over the upper arm of the clamping strip, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, so that it has a snubbing engagement or is bound or clamped upon the upper edge of The arm I9 of the clamping strip embraces andclamps `the upholstery on the channel portion of the border frame and extends below to provide a binding and wear strip. Turnbutton securing m'fembers 2| pivoted at 22 are provided, these securing members engaging under the loop portion of the strips and effectively securing them in upholstery retaining clamping engagement. With this arrangement,

vthe upholstery can be quickly placed and secured merely by adjusting the clamping strips and turning the turnbutton securing members. 40 Tongues 220 formed integrally might beV used for .this purpose as shown in my Letters Patent No. 2,005,454, June 1,8, 1935, this invention being in some respects -an improvement upon the structure there illustrated. It will be noted that by inwardly offsetting the web portion of the border frame, there are no projections such as the book portion of the saddle to contact with the upholstery, the structure being in this respect `an improvement over the structure of my said v patent. With this arrangement, the upholstery is secured so as to provide a substantially airtight connection between it and the border frame. The bottom panel is provided with an annular series of vent openings 23 controlled by the disk .s55

valve 24 which is pivoted at 25 for rotative adjustment so as to completely close the vent openings or to open them to any desired degree, thereby providing a substantially air-bound cushion so that the air cooperates with the springs, or to vent the cushion as may be desired to secure the proper venting or the desired air resistance.

The valve is, as shown in Fig. 1, supported` by a plurality of cross members of the cushion so that it cannot become accidently displaced or become distorted or ineffective as it is held downwardly upon the cross members when the seat is occupied, and further, disks of thin material such as fiber may be effectively used for the valve.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the channel portion 26 is disposed with its free arm 2l approximately horizontal. The web portion 28 is inwardly offset and the cross bars 9 are secured thereto the same as in the structure described. The upholstery clamping strip 29 is in the form of a flat bar, the upholstery being wrapped around the edge of the free channel and over the clamping strip, the clamping strip being retained by screws 30 engaging threaded holes 3l provided therefor in the cross bars. In this embodiment, the lower edges of the cross bars are below the plane of the border strip so that the upholstery is held above the supporting base. However, the structure shown in Fig. 3 has the advantage of having the upholstery effectively protected.

Spring structures embodying my invention may be very economically produced. They are strong and rigid and the upholstery can be quickly assembled and they are very durable. The valve vent permits adjustment to secure the desired air resistance.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modications or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Y

1. YIn s spring cushion structure, thev combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of rounded channel section facing upwardly and an upright web portion inwardly oiset from the outer arm of the bottom portion, flat cross bars disposed on edge and having saddles at their ends joined thereto by quarter twists and secured to the top portion of the border frame, the saddles having horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the inner arm of the bottom portion of said border frame, a bottom panel arranged upon said cross bars, a body spring unit arranged on said bottom panel, said cross b-ars having integral tongues engaging said spring unit, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom portion of said border frame and over the edge ofthe inner arm thereof, a clamping strip of U-cross section, the edge of the upholstery being folded around the upper arm of the clamping strip which is disposed above the Ainner arm of the border frame, the upholstery being held thereby in binding engagement with the upper edge of the inner arm and the web portion oi the border frame and the saddles of the cross bars, the lower arm of the binding strip clamping the upholstery upon the inner side and bottom of the bottom portion of the border fra-me and constituting a wear member for the structure, and means securing the clamping strip in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

2. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of channel section facing upwardly and an upright web portion, cross bars secured to the top portion of the border frame, a body spring unit arranged above said cross bars, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom portion of said border frame and over the edge of the inner arm thereof, a clamping strip of U-cross section, the edge of the upholstery being folded around the upper arm of the clamping strip which is disposed above the inner arm of the border frame, the upholstery being held thereby in binding engagement with the upper edge of the inner yarm and. the web portion of the border frame and the cross bars, the lower arm of the binding strip clamping the upholstery upon the inner side and bottom of the bottom portion of the border frame and constituting a wear member for the structure, and means securing the clamping strip in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

3. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of channel section facing upwardly and an upright web portion, cross bars secured to the top portion of the border frame, a body spring unit arranged above said cross bars, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom portion of said border frame and over the edge of the inner arm thereof, a clamping strip of U-cross section having a flat upper arm and a curved.

lower arm, the arms being connected by a loop-y like portion, the edge of the upholstery being folded around the upper arm of the clamping strip which is disposed above the inner arm of the border frame, the upholstery being held thereby in binding engagement with the upper edge of the inner arm and the web portion of the border frame and the cross bars, the lower arm .of the binding strip being conformed to andj clamping the upholstery upon the inner side and bottom of the bottom portion of the border frame and constituting a wear member for the structure, and turnbuttons pivoted on the horizontal portions of said cross bars engaging the loop portions of said clamping strips for holding them in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

4. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion .-7

of rounded channel section facing upwardly and an upright web-portion inwardly offset from the outer arm of the bottom portion, flat cross bars disposed on edge and having saddles at their ends joined thereto by quarter twists and secured to the top portion of the border frame, the saddles having horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the inner arm of the bottom portion of said border frame, a clamping strip of U-cross section having a flat upper arm and a,v

curved lower arm, the arms being connected by a loop-like portion, upholstery disposed above the inner arm of the border frame and clamped thereto by the upper arm of said clamping strip, the

lower arm of the binding strip being conformed'y top portion of the border frame, a clamping strip of U-cross section having a flat upper arm and a curved lower'arm, the arms being connected by a loop-like portion, upholstery disposed above the inner arm of the border' frame and clamped thereto by the upper arm of said clamping strip, the lower arm of the binding strip being conformed to and clamping upholstery upon the inner side and bottom of thebottom portion of the border frame and constituting a wear member for the structure, and means on said cross bars engaging the loop portion of said clamping strip.

6. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having bottom lportion of channel section opening upwardly, and an upright top portion, cross bars secured to the top portion of the border frame with portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the bottom portion of said border frame, said bottom portion of channel section terminating in an inner arm disposed inwardly of the border frame, a body spring unit arranged on said cross bars, upholstery having its edge disposedaround the bottom portion of said border frame and over the edge of the inner arm thereof, a clamping strip of U`section having a flat upper arm and a curved lower arm, the arms being connected by a looplike portion, the edge of the upholstery being folded around the upper arm of the clamping strip which is disposed above the inner arm of the portion of channel section, the upholstery being bound thereby with the lower arm of the binding strip clamping the upholstery upon the bottom portion of the border frame and constituting a wear member for the structure, and means on said cross pieces engaging the loop portion of said clamping strip for holding it in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

'7. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of channel section opening upwardly, and an upright web-like portion oiset inwardly from the sides of the channel section, cross bars secured to the upright portion of the border frame with portions ofthe bars disposed above and in spaced relation to the bottom portion of said border frame, said bottom portion of channel section terminating in an inner arm disposed inwardly of the border frame, an upholstery clamping strip of U-section having a ilat upper arm and a curved lower arm, the arms being connected by a looplike portion, the upper arm of the clamping strip being disposed above the inner arm of the portion -said channel portion,

of channel section and adapted to bind upholstery thereon, the lower arm of the binding strip embracing the bottom portion of the border frame and constituting an upholstery binding and wear member, and means on said cross pieces engaging the loopL portion of said clamping strip for holding them in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

8. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of channel section bent inwardly of the border frame and terminating in a free arm, and an vupright web-like top portion offset from the portion of channel section, cross bars disposed on edge and having saddles at their ends joined thereto by quarter twists and secured to the top portion of the border frame, the saddles having horizontal portions disposed above and in spaced relation to the free arm of the channel portion, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom portion of said border frame and lapped upon the edge of the free arm thereof, upholstery securing means extending over the free arm of the upholstery being wrapped around a portion of said securing means, said means wedging its upholstery against said free arm and the horizontal part of the saddle spaced from the arm and constituting a binding and retaining member for the upholstery, and means mounted on said cross bars for locking said upholstery securing means in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

9. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a border frame having a bottom portion of channel section bent inwardly of the border frame and terminating in a free arm, and an upright web-like portion, cross bars disposed above and in spaced relation to the free arm of the channel portion, hooks on said cross bars securing said bars to said upright web-like portion, upholstery having its edge disposed around the bottom portion of said border frame and lapped upon the edge of the free arm thereof, upholstery securing means extending over the free arm of said channel portion, the upholstery being wrapped around a portion of said securing means, said means wedging its upholstery against the free arm and the cross bar spaced from the arm and constituting a binding and retaining member for the upholstery, and means for looking said upholstery securing means in clamping engagement with the upholstery.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

